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DAVID OSPINA made another incredible blunder to cost Arsenal team-mate Alexis Sanchez a World Cup place.

The keeper palmed in an indirect free-kick in Colombia's 1-1 draw with Peru that allowed their hosts to sneak into fifth spot ahead of Sanchez's Chile.

 David Ospina was left to celebrate Colombia heading to the World Cup finals
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David Ospina was left to celebrate Colombia heading to the World Cup finalsCredit: AP:Associated Press

Colombia qualified for the World Cup thanks to a draw in Peru and other results going their way.

But on a night where five nations' hopes of qualification hung in the balance, fine margins were always likely to cost someone.

Central American qualifying saw a 'ghost goal' cost the United States their place at Russia 2018.

And it was an error from Ospina that, ultimately, sent Chile packing and allowed Peru to sneak fifth spot in South American qualifying.

 Alexis Sanchez cut a forlorn figure after Chile's hopes were KOd by Brazil
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Alexis Sanchez cut a forlorn figure after Chile's hopes were KOd by BrazilCredit: Reuters
 Sanchez was sent tumbling out of the World Cup by a 3-0 defeat to Brazil
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Sanchez was sent tumbling out of the World Cup by a 3-0 defeat to BrazilCredit: AFP

Colombia took the lead in Lima when James Rodriguez pounced on a loose ball ten minutes after the break.

Around the same time in Sao Paulo, Brazil struck twice in three minutes to take a 2-0 lead over Chile - before Gabriel Jesus' second goal later gave a a 3-0 win.

Chile fans' attention switched to events in Lima, where they were set to scrape into fifth spot - to tee up a play-off with New Zealand - ahead of Peru.

But with 15 minutes to go James gave away a free kick on the edge of the box after clearing with his foot raised as a Peru attacked stooped to head.

 James Rodriguez netted a goal that dented Peru's hopes of qualifying
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James Rodriguez netted a goal that dented Peru's hopes of qualifyingCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Ospina could only palm in Paolo Guerrero's free-kick 15 minutes from time
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Ospina could only palm in Paolo Guerrero's free-kick 15 minutes from timeCredit: EPA
 Guererro wheels away to celebrate a goal that wouldn't have counted but for Ospina
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Guererro wheels away to celebrate a goal that wouldn't have counted but for OspinaCredit: AFP
 Sanchez's Chile struggled to contain Dani Alves and Brazil
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Sanchez's Chile struggled to contain Dani Alves and BrazilCredit: AP:Associated Press

The ref ordered an indirect free-kick on the edge of the box - meaning a player had to touch the ball after the taker struck it.

Amid all the tension at Estadio Nacional, Peru talisman Paolo Guerrero went for goal.

Ospina should have left it alone but instead palmed it into the net - making another mistake after his two late howlers in the defeat to Paraguay. 

Even worse from Chile's perspective, the flat-footed keeper should have comfortably saved Guerrero's strike.

Peru spent 15 minutes seeking a winner that would have guaranteed qualification, before the game then ended in farce.

 Sanchez was left gutted in Brazil as Chile failed to qualify
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Sanchez was left gutted in Brazil as Chile failed to qualifyCredit: Getty Images
 Ospina could celebrate with Falcao in Lima
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Ospina could celebrate with Falcao in LimaCredit: AFP
 Peru were also celebrating after securing a play-off spot
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Peru were also celebrating after securing a play-off spotCredit: AP:Associated Press

With Chile's 3-0 defeat confirmed, a message got onto the pitch in Lima that Peru were guaranteed fifth spot with a 1-1 draw.

The hosts had the chance to knock Colombia into fifth spot with a winner, but would have missed out altogether with a defeat.

Peru knocked the ball along their defensive line for the final two minutes of the three added on, as Ospina and Colombia strolled around grinning.

Inside the changing rooms at Allianz Parque, Sanchez was not.

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Credit: Fifa.com

 

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